New details have emerged about Tom Cruise’s exhilarating stunt at the 2024 Paris Olympics, revealing an unexpected source of inspiration that dates back 15 years. While many assumed the stunt was a nod to Cruise’s action-packed “Mission: Impossible” franchise, former “Late Late Show” producer Ben Winston disclosed that the idea actually stemmed from an old Conan O’Brien sketch.
During Sunday’s closing ceremony, Cruise wowed the audience by dramatically entering the Stade de France, hopping on a motorcycle, and then appearing in a pre-taped clip where he skydived toward the iconic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, symbolizing the handoff to the 2028 Olympics. However, Winston explained that the real inspiration came from a 2009 bit from Conan O’Brien when he transitioned from New York to Los Angeles to host “The Tonight Show.”
Winston said, “I liked the idea of doing the bulk of it in Los Angeles but with an amazing open in Paris. This is such a weird reference, but remember when Conan O’Brien started on ‘The Tonight Show’ and moved from New York to Los Angeles? He did a really fun sketch going cross-country. That has always stuck with me.”
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The concept of symbolically transporting the Olympic flag from Paris to Los Angeles with the help of Tom Cruise was born out of this unusual influence. “I thought, how do Tom Cruise and all these incredible athletes take that flag from Paris to L.A.?” Winston continued. “It’s a weird inspiration.”
Winston initially considered using a masked stuntman for the more dangerous parts of the performance. However, Cruise, known for his dedication to performing his own stunts, insisted on doing it all himself. “Tom’s feedback was, ‘I love the idea, only we’re not doing a stuntman in a balaclava. I’m going to be the one who jumps off the roof, and I’m going to be the one who drives through Paris,’” Winston recalled.
The result was a spectacle that had onlookers in Hollywood believing they were witnessing the filming of the next “Mission: Impossible” movie. Cruise’s stunt ended with him abseiling into the stadium, grabbing the Olympic flag from gold medalist Simone Biles and LA Mayor Karen Bass, and marking yet another daring feat in his illustrious career.
While Cruise’s stunt history is well-known, the logistics of insuring such a high-risk event were likely as challenging as the stunt itself. Winston humorously noted that liability concerns were present during a previous collaboration with Cruise, involving dizzying flying lessons for former “Late Late Show” host James Corden. The producer quipped, “It was like, ‘Well, who does the liability lie with — the show or Tom?’ I still don’t know the answer on this one.”
Tom Cruise continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible, solidifying his reputation as Hollywood’s most fearless A-lister. The 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony was yet another testament to his commitment to thrilling audiences worldwide.
